Farm waste recycling scheme extended

A scheme to collect and recycle waste farm plastics is being extended to other materials. Since it started in 1998, the scheme has collected and recycled over 43,000 tonnes of used silage sheeting and bale wrap.

Environment Minister Dick Roche travelled to Pat Nutall’s farm in Titour, Co. Wicklow to announce the pilot scheme.

He welcomed plans to extend the service to other materials that require an environmentally safe and cost-effective recovery outlet.

IFA Environmental Committee chairman, Tom Dunne, said the costs of operating the scheme are met by farmers through a 127 per tonne levy included in the price of silage sheeting and wrap.

Mr Dunne said the IFA has played an important role in assisting IFFPG through the chairmanship of former deputy president Michael Slattery, in the progress the scheme has made.

Last year, it collected 11,000 tonnes from farms. It recycled 9,000 tonnes, surpassing its Government target by 1,000 tonnes.

55,000 farmers used the service to have waste silage sheeting and wrap collected in 2004.

However, Mr Dunne said there is no room for complacency and welcomed plans to extend the service.

“We now need the farm plastics scheme to extend its service to other waste streams, including fertiliser bags and used chemical containers” he said.

“This is important to support farmers in meeting higher environmental demands, and the specific requirements of schemes such as the Rural Environmental Protection Scheme.”